2 Timothy 4:1-2 — “I solemnly charge you in the presence of Elohim and of Messiah Yahshua, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
Lately I’ve been thinking about Paul’s admonition to “be ready in season and out of season.” What is Paul getting at here? First, keep in mind that Paul is admonishing Timothy regarding preaching and exhortation. Though not everyone is called to that specific ministry, these words of Paul can apply to anyone wanting to influence others for Yah’s kingdom. That being said, here’s my takeaway:
To me, “in season” is a picture of those times when we normally expect to speak truth, like when going a mission trip. These “in season” scenarios are the ones for which we tend to be more mentally prepared. When I think of “out of season,” on the other hand, I think of those unexpected situations that arise in everyday interactions. An example of this would be a co-worker unexpectedly saying something that opens a door for conversation about spiritual matters. Putting these ideas together, to “be ready in season and out of season” simply means we are ready to speak truth not only when we anticipate it, but also when we least expect it.
1 Peter 3:14-16 says, “But sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
What are some things that will help us to “be ready in season and out of season?” Here are some thoughts.
1) Equip your mind with the Scriptures.
1 Timothy 3:16,17 — “All Scripture is inspired by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of Elohim may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Ephesians 6:17 — “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Elohim.”
Notice Ephesians 6 likens Yah’s word to a sword. If a soldier is to be very effective in his role, he must have his sword always at his side, ready to wield at a moment’s notice. Likewise, we must have the sword of the Spirit “by our sides,” ready to put into action when duty calls. Merely giving the Scriptures a passive reading is not enough. We must diligently apply our minds and hearts to be doers of the word (James 1:22). 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to Elohim as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” The more we put Scripture to work in our lives, the better we will be able to utilize it when called upon.
Here’s one thing that has helped me on this front: When I find a good Bible verse, I’ll write it on an index card — verse on one side, reference on the other. Then, each evening, I’ll go through 3 to 5 of these cards. Over time, I’ve found this to be very helpful in committing the Scriptures to my heart.
2) Pray.
Recall Yahshua’s words in Matthew 7:7 — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” If you find yourself wanting to influence others in greater ways for Yah’s kingdom, don’t forget to ask Yahweh for opportunities to do so. If you find yourself struggling with how to deal with those tricky, “out of season” moments (I know I do), ask Him for wisdom. Don’t just wish for it. Seek it — knock on that door, confident that He will answer your prayer. James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Yahweh is willing and eager to pour our abundant help, wisdom, and guidance on those who seek Him. Not only this, but developing a consistent habit of prayer in this area will help keep your mind alert and attentive to His will.
Colossians 4:2-4 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that Elohim will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Messiah, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”
3) Be Patient.
In all our eagerness to share truth, we should refrain from speaking in hasty self-leading. Proverbs 10:19 says, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 17:27 says, “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
It is important that we wait on Yah’s leading. I believe I tend to be over-eager to speak, so this is an area that hits close to home for me. When we speak too soon, barriers can often be constructed in people’s hearts that prevent further communication about spiritual matters. Many times, Yah’s desire for an interaction may be that we simply give a warm smile or get to know someone better so that a foundation of trust can be built. Let us be prayerful as to the seemingly small ways we can be a light to others. Let us also pray that Yah will help us to discern when it is the time to share some meaty truth, and when that time comes, to act decisively and unhesitatingly.
4) Cultivate a genuine concern for and interest in people.
How easy it can be for us to be distracted with daily life, all the while surrounded with many people in desperate need of the cleansing salvation of Yahshua Messiah. I know for me personally, it is very easy to become apathetic. It takes diligent seeking of Yahweh to see past the natural inclination toward self-focus.
Yahshua was an awesome example of compassion. Matthew 9:36-38 says, “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” May the Father grant us strength of humility, selflessness, and character to be truly concerned for other people.
Here’s a thought related to showing interest in people that I have found impactful in my own life: Praise character strengths you see in people. Personally, I have found that some of the times I have felt most spiritually impacted toward ways of righteousness have been the times I’ve been praised for certain character strengths. Praise, when given rightly, can help others see the blessing of Yah’s ways. One day, Mom was at the grocery store and saw a young child who was particularly patient and respectful toward his mother. Mom congratulated the child for his good behavior. Was the child impacted my Mom’s words of praise? I don’t know, but the interaction may very well have planted a small seed of encouragement in the right direction.
5) Take joy in the blessings of Yah.
Isaiah 44:22,23 — “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. 23 Shout for joy, O heavens, for YHWH has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; For YHWH has redeemed Jacob and in Israel He shows forth His glory.”
Psalm 89:14,15 — “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. 15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O YHWH, they walk in the light of Your countenance.”
Hallelujah! This is something to rejoice about! May our testimony overflow from a place of simple, deep, pure joy in the ways of Yah. When we take the joy of Yahweh with us wherever we go, we will want to share truth this those Yah brings across our path.
Now for my sixth and final point:
6) Trust Yahweh with the victory.
In Matthew 10:18-20, Yahshua told his disciples, “you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
May we never forget our dependence upon the Father to guide our words according to His will. Personally, I tend to get bogged down by the analysis of trying to share truth “perfectly” and can easily forget to trust in Yah. Let’s not forget that what He can do through our prayerful obedience to Him is much more than what we can do through our own human mustering. Proverbs 21:31 says that “the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to YHWH.” There is a time for preparation, but that does not negate the fact that only He can truly give the victory. If we really think about it, that fact is quite comforting. Praise Yah that we have the Creator of the Universe as an ever-present help through our human frailty.
Let’s be ready in season and out of season!
1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah.”
(All Bible passages NASB; Hebrew transl. added.)
Exhortation Station 